PERU ADDS 18 RUSSIAN FIGHTER JETS TO ITS ANTI-NARCOTICS EFFORTS

LIMA, Peru (AP) -- Despite threatened cuts in anti-narcotics aid from the
United States, President Alberto Fujimori said Peru will carry on the fight
against drug trafficking with its fleet of Russian-made fighter jets.

At an anniversary ceremony for Peru's air force Sunday, Fujimori announced
that 18 Sukhoi-25 tactical fighter jets purchased for the country's
now-ended border conflict with Ecuador would be used for anti-narcotics
efforts. Peru and Ecuador signed a peace treaty in October 1998.

"Even if it is only with our own resources, Peru will be a barrier to
narcotics trafficking," Fujimori said. "Peru's struggle against narcotics
trafficking will not be halted."

The United States acknowledges Fujimori as one of its most effective
regional partners in the fight against narcotics. But Congress last month
held back $42 million of emergency anti-narcotics and development aid and
threatened to cut back millions more following Fujimori's win of a third
term as president in a May 28 election tainted by irregularities and fraud
allegations.